Unconditional Love

 Again, I want to thank Rebecca Ebersole of  Snapdragon Photography for giving me permission to use her photograph.  It was her fine work that gave me the inspiration to make this wall-hanging.

  .   This was my first attempt at doing faces.  I decided to paint in the details because I didn't have the confidence to use material or to do thread painting.  Also, I painted some highlights on the material used for the skin because I had a difficult time finding material I wanted to use.  Unfortunately, when I get a paint brush in my hand it is difficult to stop, so I ended up painting a few details on the blue shirt and on the jumper.

Almost Finished

Christmas is right around the corner.  One can feel the excitement in the air, especially with young children.  I have invited my young nieces to come and spend the night on December 23rd to make gingerbread houses.  It will be fun to have them in the house so close to Santa's big arrival.

 

I decided to do the stitching in the background in tight rows and uniform so as not to detract from the figures.  I also wanted the figures to pop and look three dimensional from the puffiness of the material. 

 

Of course, time was found to make my "Little One" a dress for Christmas.  I used the same pattern I had used for my daughter thirty some years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Painting the Finer Details

 

Everyday I feel stronger and working on my wall-hanging is a great way to relax and get better.

 

I debated whether to use thread or paint to put in the finer details.  As you can see, paint won.  I also wrestled with acrylic vs. watercolor.  Acrylic is more stable, watercolors I have a higher comfort level.  Watercolors won.  I plan to take a course in painting with acrylics because it has been years since I have touched them. The eyebrows and eyelashes are really bothering me.  I think they are too thick and dark.  They  look almost comical.  I will try to fix that problem this week.


The last couple of weeks I had to keep my hands busy even though I was afraid to touch my quilting due to the medications.  I made 15 folded star ornaments to give as presents this year.  All the cutting, pressing, and folding  reminded me why I don't do patch work quilting.   It is also a reminder as to why I hold a lot of respect for those who do.  Critically looking at my work on the ornaments confirmed my decision not to work on my quilt.  They look nice, but they are a reminder why you shouldn't do intricate work after a major physical/emotional trauma and while on pain or muscle relaxer medications.

 

Finally, Doing What I Love

Finally, a couple of days ago, I  felt confident enough to work on my wall-hanging.  It was like a weight lifted off my shoulders.  There is nothing worse than to make a conscious decision not to do what you love.  But the bright side is, I was able to make that choice, and not have it imposed upon me.

I don't know why, maybe it is a result of the accident, I wanted a bright, non-defined background, and..... I like it.


A week before my accident,  mom and I  went on a drive and ended up in Cunningham Falls State Park Beach. In the summer, it is nearly impossible to get in unless you are up with the sun.

 

Hiatus

The accident has left me drained both emotionally and physically.  Everyday is getting better, but for now I am taking a hiatus from quilting to concentrate on getting better.  I am also afraid to touch my wall-hanging while on the medication.  

Hopefully Next Week

Last Sunday, we were in a car accident.  Luckily, no other cars were involved.  Thank goodness the car did it's job; seatbelts, airbags, safety glass, and the car frame itself.  We were told we were lucky to "walk" away from the accident with the few injuries that we incurred.  Today, finally I got out of the house, we went car shopping for another Volvo.  We figured it saved our lives once, so we wanted to buy another one.  Now that I am off the pain meds and have been ordered to stay home for a second week, hopefully, I will make some progress on the wall-hanging next week.

Progressing

Why is it major appliances always, always, break down at the most inconvenient times?  I had out of town company this weekend and of course the oven decided not to work in the middle of baking a breakfast dish.  Thank goodness, mom was just down the street and her oven was working.

 Time flew by this week and I didn't catch the time to get very much done this week.  I did begin to work on the legs of my little one.

My father-in-law passed away last month and we were sent a very thoughtful remembrance.  Some friends sent us a living oak memorial to plant in the yard.  I am sure an oak tree was chosen because he was a very tall and towering man, well over six feet.  It has been fun watching it, as grows from an acorn.

 

Slowly, but Surely

The temperature is all relative.  We complained about the cold last weekend when it was in the high 50's, here in Maryland.  At the same time, my Uncle in Florida said they were having a cold wave.  It was in the low 70's.  I would find the low 70's gorgeous,  My sister, who lives in Nome, Alaska was experiencing temperatures in the low 30's with snow.  She would find the weather in Maryland and Florida just perfect.

I am finding skin tones really challenging.  I have cut and thrown away enough fabric this week to stock a store trying to find the right combination.  I hope to move onto the baby this week.

Pictures taken last weekend in Maryland, Florida, and Alaska:

 

The Face is a Challenge

The weather is definitely changing; hot one day and cold the next.  The colors in the sunset are changing from their summer shades to their autumn colors.  The silhouettes against the sky are going from leafy trees to skinny leafless limbs. Summer house decorations are giving way to Halloween decorations. Yes, it is definitely fall.

This week I didn't accomplish very much because the shading on the face is presenting itself as a real challenge.  I keep cutting out different shades of fabric trying to find the right one.  I really do feel at the bottom of the learning curve on this wall-hanging attempt.

 Houses decorated for Halloween:

 

Trouble with Flesh Tones

There is nothing better to renew the soul and spirit than to sit on the beach.  The feel of sand under your feet and the pounding of the waves just does something to help melt all the cares and troubles of the world.  We went down on Wednesday and the weather couldn't have been better if we had personally ordered it for that day.

The fabric scattering on the floor keeps growing because I am having a very difficult time choosing material to choose for the flesh tones on my daughter-in-law.

Scenes from Rehoboth  Beach:

The gorgeous sunset was the perfect ending to a great day.

The moon rise was spectacular over the ocean.

 

Taking Comfort in Creating

This week we experienced a lost in the family and great joy with another member of the family on the same day.  It is overwhelming to say the least when your emotions are very raw and are torn in two totally different directions at almost the exact same time.  Life will continue to hold surprises around every corner. 

Working on my wall-hanging was a much needed stress relief.  I'm not sure how much time I will get to work on it this week.

More pictures from Lake Anna:

 

Retry on the Shirt

This week I hope to dig out the fall decorations; table runners, Halloween fun, and door decorations.  Thus begins the season of constant "door revolving" decorating until after Christmas.   The holidays will have special meaning again with having a little one to share them with again.

I think the shirt looks better.  I will add more shading with thread.

I am digging out my material to take inventory for possible flesh tones.  I am heavy on the yellow and browns.  Oh my, I think I will have to visit my favorite quilting stores, Prints Charming in Fulton, MD and Patches in Mt. Airy, MD.


Signs of fall at Lake Anna:

 

Too Much of a Contrast

I love fall as much as any other season.  I enjoy the pumpkins, fall vegetables, and all the craft shows, special activities and holidays associated with the season.  Last night we had an outdoor movie night with a New Orleans theme; Cajun cooking and the movie Double Jeopardy.  We had a gathering of 15 people with a variety of dishes from Jambalaya to beignets.  There is nothing better than fun, food, family and friends.

  

The shirt just isn't working for me.  It will come apart right after I finished typing this post.


More pictures from the lake:

A beginning

This week our mini heat wave broke and there is definitely the feel of fall in the air. Yesterday, for the first time I put on a pair of jeans before we went to our daughter's house.  I must admit I do like living in an area with four distinct seasons.  Each bringing it's own sounds, smells, flavors, and sights.

 

 

I had a hard time deciding where to begin .   Finally, I decided to piece  together the shorts.  It took awhile choosing the fabrics.  This piece is definitely going to be a challenge for me.


Here are some pictures from Lake Anna:

 

Unconditional Love

After reading some new books I had bought on making realistic quilts and portraits, I am ready to stretch out and try a family portrait.  I still am not ready to go large, the picture portion of the quilt will measure about 15 inches by 25 inches.  Although, this is larger than my last quilt.

Picture taken by Rebecca Ebersole of Snapdragon Photography in Maryland

The photograph was taken by Rebecca Ebersole of  www.snapdragonphotographymd.com as part of a photo shoot for my granddaughter's first birthday.  This is just one of the wonderful pictures she took that day.  I just love the look of  "unconditional" love that is portrayed by  my little one.

I had a harder time picking out the larger shapes in the shirt on the left.  I feel as though I broke the pattern  down into too many smaller shapes.  I may combine a few lines when I trace on fusible web.  My feelings are to keep the background very simple because I to have all attention drawn to the family.

Last weekend we went to Lake Anna with our friends.  The weather cooperated, thus, we had a wonderful time swimming and boating.



Is it Really the first of September?

I got my hallway painted, but I keep finding small spots I want to touch up.  In addition to painting my hall, I painted my bedroom before going back to teaching.  Also, I keep pinching myself because it is hard to believe that it is the first of September and today is Labor Day.  This past month I found myself reprinting the pictures I plan to use for my next wall hangings several times.  I have printed them in different sizes.  I think I might begin work on two very different wall-hangings simultaneously.  They are both challenging in their own way.  My thinking is that when I am stuck on one, I can work on the other one. This week I will definitely make up my mind as to what to do next.

On our annual trip to Michigan this summer my Mom's odometer on her Highlander turned over  200,000 miles.  As she said it was a "Wow!" moment to see it turn over on one of our many trips traveled in that car.  This sunset is one of the many reasons we make that long drive each summer.

Christmas in July

This past week I took the time to do some desperately needed painting around the house.  Well, as I posted on Facebook:

"Why is it when I start a painting project, I can never stick to the original plan? I was only going to pain the interior doors. Then I had to paint all of the door jams. Then I had to paint all of the exterior doors. Next, I feel as though I have to paint the hallway because it looks dirty after painting the doors. Who knows where that will lead to in terms of painting. "

This week I will paint the hallway.  I am thinking of a neutral color, a light shade of gray.

I  was not quite ready to begin my new quilt this past week, so I made long overdue Christmas stockings for my son-in-law and granddaughter.

Yesterday I went to the best yard sale ever for quilters.  This person would have won the gold metal for the most material, patterns, quilting tools, etc.  Here is just a sampling of what I bought for fantastic prices.  This wasn't even a fraction of what was for sale yesterday.